Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Cat’s Eye, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, Blue Topa...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Quartz, Topaz, Rhodolite, Gold, 18...
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amazonite, Amethyst, Crystal, Multi-gemstone, Quartz, 14k Gold, Gold-fil...
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, 18k Gold, Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, White Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k ...
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Black Diamond, Garnet, S...
Late 20th Century Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Spinel, Topaz, Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Moonstone, Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Amethyst, Turquoise, Platinum
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pear...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, 18k Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Topaz, White Gold
